It's America's fastest-growing job – thanks to ChatGPT
On the hunt for a new job? Building artificial intelligence tech could be a safe option. The market for jobs in the AI sector has surged in the last two years, according to a recent analysis from the University of Maryland and job-tracking firm LinkUp — the latest in a slew of studies indicating AI skills are in high demand.
The Impact of ChatGPT
Anil Gupta, a professor at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, co-led a research that showed a clear “ChatGPT effect,” referring to how the OpenAI-developed chatbot’s launch led to the job posting spike, replacing many IT-related job listings.
The analysis comes from AIMaps, a collaboration between the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business and LinkUp. The program tracks the growth of AI jobs across different sectors in the United States, such as manufacturing and retail.
Job Market Insights
Job postings in AI fields have spiked 68% in the United States since the end of 2022, while overall job postings have declined 17% in the same period, according to the AIMaps data. Additionally, AI job postings on sites like ZipRecruiter have shown significant growth.
In January, LinkedIn listed AI engineer and AI consultant as the fastest-growing jobs in the US, and PwC found that jobs requiring AI skills were growing more than three times as fast as all jobs.
Challenges and Opportunities
While AI has led to the creation of new jobs, there have also been layoffs in the IT sector as tech giants invest heavily in AI technology. However, the overall job market for AI specialists continues to grow.
AI job growth is occurring alongside a broader slowdown in hiring across the job market as companies focus on efficiency and cost control strategies.
Future of AI in the Workplace
Despite concerns about privacy and security risks, the demand for AI jobs remains high, especially in the consulting sector. Companies are exploring ways to leverage AI for efficiency and productivity gains.
As the AI industry continues to expand, with innovations like DeepSeek, the future job market is likely to see further transformations driven by AI technology.
Adapting to Change
While the impact of AI on specific jobs is still unfolding, experts believe that companies will adapt to the changing landscape by leveraging the efficiency enabled by AI technology for potential shorter work weeks and increased productivity.
As the AI job market evolves, it presents both challenges and opportunities for professionals looking to enter this fast-growing field.
